The Only Way Is Freedom: Lydia Bright and Mr Darcy Protest Proposed Pig Farm

The Only Way Is Essex star Lydia Bright posed for photographs with her pig pal, Mr. Darcy, to urge compassionate citizens to speak out against Midland Pig Producers’ plans to build an enormous factory farm in Foston, Derbyshire.

“Mr Darcy really has opened my eyes to how wonderful, smart and fun pigs are”, says Bright. “He loves to go for walks, play in the long grass and feel the sun on his back – all things that the 25,000 pigs who would be housed in this pig prison in Foston would be denied. To keep pigs in close confinement and deny them access to the outdoors and fresh air is cruel. I would ask all of Mr Darcy’s fans to please go to the PETA website and speak out against the proposed planning application.”

Lydia Bright and Mr. Darcy – Photo: Gareth Cattermole / Getty

With the deadline for objections to the plans looming, proud pig guardian Bright has also sent a letter of objection to the Derbyshire County Council and is encouraging everyone to do the same.

Lydia Bright and Mr. Darcy – Photo: Gareth Cattermole / Getty

According to the plans for the massive factory farm, 25,000 pigs would be imprisoned in the facility at a time and 1,000 pigs would be transported to slaughter each week. In addition to the suffering caused by keeping complex, intelligent animals in filthy, crowded conditions, the facility could pose real risks to human health and the environment. Permitting industrial farms of this scale to be built in the UK would inevitably result in farm animals receiving even less protection that the minimal level they currently have, and this must not be allowed to happen. Please help to thwart Midland Pig Producers’ plans by sending an objection to the council right now.